US Intelligence Agencies: Russia Orders Mine Deployment Around Ukraine's Odesa Area

Provocation Ahead of Grain Export Resumption Talks
Continued Pressure on Ukraine and the West to Weaponize Food Supplies

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Controversy is growing as it has been reported that the Russian military has ordered the laying of mines near Odesa Port, a major grain export port in Ukraine. This move is interpreted as an attempt by Russia to pressure both Ukraine and the West by continuing its food weaponization strategy ahead of talks to resume grain exports from the Black Sea.

On the 23rd (local time), the British Guardian, citing a U.S. intelligence official, reported, "The Russian military has ordered the laying of mines at major Ukrainian ports such as Odesa and Ochakiv," explaining that "the installation of these mines is part of a blockade on Ukraine's grain exports." According to the official, the Russian military is also known to have already laid mines around the Dnipro River area in Ukraine.

The official emphasized, "We also have information that Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been ordered to effectively blockade the ports of Odesa and Ochakiv," adding, "Although Russia denies laying mines, we can confirm that mines are indeed being laid in the Black Sea area near Ochakiv."

Previously, the Russian military launched missile strikes on storage facilities and grain terminals at Mykolaiv, another major Ukrainian grain export port, destroying three grain storage sites. This is seen as a continuation of military attacks aimed at pressuring Ukraine and the West through a food weaponization strategy.

As a result, there are concerns that the upcoming negotiations to resume grain exports, expected to be held soon, will face difficulties in reaching an agreement. A four-party meeting involving Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the UN is scheduled to take place next week in Istanbul, Turkey, under the mediation of Turkey and the United Nations. The Turkish government and the UN had previously proposed resuming three grain export routes centered around Odesa Port.

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